Hydraulically powered pipe pusher

ABSTRACT

A pipe pusher includes a pusher assembly mounted on a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder is installed in a frame which is attachable to a back hoe bucket (or related device) and is accordingly moved and positioned by this or similarly related means. The pusher head permits push bars or pipes to be fed into a guide at the top of a hydraulic cylinder. Jaws, which form a portion of the head, clamp onto the pipe to facilitate same being pushed and are easily released as the cylinder retracts its associated piston. A cleat plate is provided at one or both end extremities of the pipe pusher for anchoring the unit into the soil during operation.

United States Patent [191- Gremillion et al.

[ Apr. 30, 1974 HYDRAULICALLY POWERED PIPE PUSHER [76] Inventors: Gerard S. Gremillion, Jursich Development Co., McDonnells Plaza, Oakbrook, Ill. 60521; Bert M. McMillian, 1012 Wenonga La., Leawood, Kans. 66206 22 Filed: Nov. 20, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 308,241

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 139,704, May 3, 1971, Pat. No.

52 U.s. Cl 254/29 R [51] Int. Cl I E2lb 19/00 [58] Field of Search 254/29 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,517,494 8/1950 Kiss 254/29 R 3,227,4l9 l/I966 Lackey .l 254/29 R 5/1937 Abramson .l 254/29 R ll/l964 Brown 254/29 R Primary ExaminerOthell M. Simpson Assistant Examiner-Robert C. Watson Attorney, Agent, or FirmLowe, Kokjer & Kircher 57 ABSTRACT A pipe pusher includes a pusher assembly mounted on a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder is installed in a frame which is attachable to a back hoe bucket (or related device) and is accordingly moved and positioned by this or similarly related means. The

' pusher head permits push bars or pipes to be fed into a guide at the top of a hydraulic cylinder. Jaws, which form a portion of the head, clamp onto the pipe to facilitate same being pushed and are easily released as the cylinder retracts its associated piston. A cleat plate is provided at one or both end extremities of the pipe pusher for anchoring the unit into the soil during operation.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAP 30 974 v SHEET 1 [IF 2 HYDRAULICALLY POWERED PIPE PUSI-IER BACKGROUND AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This application is a division of the co-pending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 139,704; filed May 3, 1971 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,710,472 entitled Method of Attaching A Working Implement To A Back I-Ioe Bucket. The subject pipe pusher has particular but not exclusive utility with the multipurpose construction unit disclosed therein. Further the pipe pusher has specific utility for use by underground contractors and to facilitate the installation of various underground works required by municipal and public utilities.

The pipe pusher is a hydraulically powered mechanical device which operates to push continuous lengths of pipe or push bar sections to facilitate making road crossings through the heaviest of soil in a simple and efficient manner. The pusher assembly includes a pusher head mounted to a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder is installed into a frame which is attachable to a back hoe bucket in a manner described in the above mentioned patent application thereby providing the pipe pusher with the maneuverability of the bucket itself. A uniquely constructed pusher head permits the push bars or pipes to be fed into a guide at the top of the hydraulic cylinder. The jaws of the head clamp onto the pipe as it is pushed forwardly and are easily released as the cylinder retracts the piston. An operator need only continuously attach sections of the pipe or push bars as the unit operates to extend same into the soil.

A cleat plate is provided at one or both end extremities of the pipe pusher frame anchoring the unit to the soil during operations. Adjustable braces associated with the cleat plate isolates the dipper stick and'the back hoe bucket (if same is utilized) from full pusher resultant forces and block out any movement from slack in the dipper stick, bucket and cylinder pivot points.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a uniquely constructed device for pushing pipe or push rods through the soil and under surfaces such as road beds.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pipe or rod pusher of the character described which operates to continuously push pipe or push rods with strokes of selected lengths and with a minimum of attendant personnel.

A further object of the invention is to provide unique type of rod pusher of the character described which ineludes a novel jaw assembly whereby the jaw operates to grip the pipe or push rods only during the pushing of the associated hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly. It is a feature of the invention that the device includes means for easily releasing the jaws from contact with the pipe or push rods as the hydraulic piston is with drawn.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a pipe pusher of the character described which includes pivot arms for mounting at least one pair of jaws which operate to grip the push rods or pipe during the pushing stroke. It is a feature of this object that these pivot arms permit lateral movement of the jaws with respect to the push rod axis so that the jaw may be skewed to bind,

engage or otherwise contact the push rods or pipe in a firmer and tighter manner.

These and other objects of the invention, together with the features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear in the course of the following description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are employed to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view of a truck mounted construction unit with subject pipe pusher shown attached to a back hoe bucket and in an'operative position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the pipe pusher with the back hoe bucket shown in broken lines to illustrated how same may be attached thereto;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the pipe pusher shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the pipe pusher shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

7 FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the pipe pusher head taken generally along the'line 5 -5 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows; and 7 FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 66 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows.

Turning now more particularly to the pipe pusher itself, FIGS. 2 through 6 illustrate the unique features embodied within same. One of the principal portions of the pipe pusher is the hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly represented by the numerals 47a and 47b, respectively. The frame 40 has a lower plate 48 weldedly attached to the lower end portions of side walls 41 with stiffening gussets 48a included therebetween. The cylinder 47a is fixedly attached to the upper surface of plate 48 between walls 41 by a mounting pad 49. A similar pad 54 is attached to the underside of plate 48 for holding a stiff leg or bracing sleeve discussed later. Both pads are bolted to plate 48 by bolts 52. Finally, a horizontal guide or surface plate 51 is provided for the pipe or push rod at a proper elevation above the cylinder and is supported relative to the inner surfaces of the side walls 41 by angled brackets generally represented by the numeral 520.

As suggested above, the

bolts 52 extend through a mounting pad 54 as well as through mounting pad 49.

The pad 54 fixedly and rigidly attaches a stiff leg weldment telescoping collar to the lower portion of the frame 40. An extendible rod or stiff leg 56, being selectively apertured at 57 along the length thereof, slidably fits within collar 55 with the alignable holes 57a on the rear or righthand (as seen in FIG. 2) end portion thereof. A cleat plate 58 is located on the end of the extendible rod 56 to facilitate the anchoring of the pipe pusher unit into the soil. Latch pin 59 permits the extendible rod 56 and cleat plate to be quickly and easily set in place by removing the pin and then replacing same through the appropriate alignable apertures in the collar (57a) and in the extendible rod (57). Finally, shown in FIG. 1, an additional cleat plate 60 and combination rod 60a and collar'60b may extend forwardly from the pipe pusher frame for additional support by pin connecting same through the frame holes 42b. However, it should be noted that-the pipe pusher unit is still supported from the back hoe bucket 20 by the above-described quick attach feature and generally the use of a single rearwardly extending cleat plate and telescoping rod is sufficient for most pushing operatrons.

The pipe pusher head is generally indicated by the numeral 61 and is shown in detail in FIGS. 2 through 5. As mentioned above, the pipe pusher head 61 is mounted onto the outer end of the piston 47b. This mounting is accomplished by weldedly attaching a sleeve 62 on the outer portion of the piston. The yoke member 63 extends transversely to the center line of the piston and the sleeve combination and provides a supporting surface for the upper portion of the pusher head. Further, the outer end portions of yoke 63 have lugs 64 either cast or weldedly attached thereto with bracketing lugs 64a being of a similar size and shape but spaced inwardly therefrom. A pair of forward pivot arms 65 and a pair of rear pivot arms 66 are attached to the lugs 64. For example, the two forward pivot arms each have a lug attachment 65a locatable between the forward portions of the lug combination 64 and 64a while the two rear pivot arms have lug attachments 66a locatable between the rearward half portions of the lug combination 64 and 64a. Further, the cooperating lugs 64, 64a and 65a, 66a are either pin connected at 67 or bolted thereto. In any event, the selected spacings between the upright lug brackets 64 and 64a are suitable to permit some degree of movement of the pivot arms 65 and 66 as will be described so that when one of the jaws engages the rods of pipe being pushed, the harder the push the more tightly the grasp by the jaws.

The fourpivot arms, which are weldedly attached at their outer edge portions to a corresponding vertically oriented intermediate lug 65a or 66a operatively occupy a substantially horizontal plane as shown in FIG. 4 and have the pipe or push bar engaging jaws 68 welded to the inner end portions thereof. For purposes of identification, the two separable jaw units forming the forward jaw is identified by the numeral 68a while the two separable jaw units forming the rearward jaw is identified by numeral 68b. Therefore, it may be seen that each pair of pivot arms has a jaw 680 or 68b which when properly oriented, cooperate to selectively engage the pipeor the push rods at either the outer or inner end of the pushe'r'head depending on how the later described clamps'are set.

' Eachpair of pivot arms 65 and 66 is interconnected by pivot links 69 and 70, respectively. Each set of pivot links (there being an upper and a lower link for each set of pivot arms) has a nut and bolt combination 71 extending through an annular spacer collar 71a in each corresponding pivot arm to not only connect the inner end portions of the pivot arm by the link structure but also to space the pivot links a preselected vertical (as seen in FIG. 5) distance apart. The outer end portions of each jaw unit is connected by a push-pull clamp with the forward jaw 68a having push-pull clamp generally shown at 72 being located thereon while the rearward jaw 68b has push-pull clamp 73 attached to the upper surface thereof. These push-pull clamps are manufactured by the KNU-VISE and are further designated as a push-pull clamp-P&P800.

As stated above, the jaws 68a and 68b operate in pairs to selectively engage the pipe or push rod being utilized by the subject pusher. As shown more clearly in FIG. 5, the teeth of the forward jaws 68a are oriented in an opposite direction with respect to the jaw teeth shown as comprising the rearward jaw 68b. Stated another way, the teeth in the forward jaw 68a have a squared off edge 68a facing the push rods as same would move forwardly with sloping sides which taper off at approximately 30 from the edge. 'The'teeth in jaw 68b have to be squared off edge 68b facing the push rods movement when same would be pulled out of the soil. For example, when the pipe or push rods are being hydraulically pushed forward or through the soil (as contrasted to pulling the pipe or push rods out of the soil), the forward push-pull clamp 72 will be opened thereby causing the jaw 68 to be substantially disengaged from grabbing the pipe or push rods moving therethrough. The rearward clamp 72, however, is closed causing the teeth of jaw 68b to engage and contact the pipe at this location. i

It should be pointed out that the pusher head 61, including the pivot arms and 66 are not rigidly connected so that lateral movement of the jaws with respect to the push rod axis is both permitted and desired. Accordingly with either clamp set, the corresponding jaw will be sufficiently skewed to bind, engage or otherwise contact the push rod so that the jaws will grip to the rod tighter as the push becomes harder.

With the teeth in the rear jaw 68b being oriented at a substantially right angle to the axis of the pipe or push rodand with the jaw units being semicircular (as seen from the end), the teeth, therefore, contact the cylindrical pipe or rods along arcuate segmented portions of the outer surface of same. Therefore, when the hydraulic cylinder 47a is actuated to extend piston 47b, the

jaw 68b engages that portion of the pipe or rods therein and drives or pushes the pipe or rods a distance determined by the pistons (47b) movement. After the pipe or push rods have been pushed the preselected distance (determined either by the operator or by the piston stroke), the jaw teeth are so angled that rearward movement of the pusher head may be accomplished without pulling the pipe or push rods back out of the soil. (Note that the frictional contact with the soil is sufficient to retain the pipe or rod at its prior pushed position.) Assuming that the piston had been retracted a preselected distance or a stroke, the rear clamp being already set needs no further attention as the jaw teeth at jaw 68b once again contact and engage the pipe or rods during the forward movement of the piston 47b thereby facilitating the continuous pushing of the rods.

Of course, additional rod lengths are easily added when necessary as will be described in conjunction with the push rod description.

After a sufficient length of pipe or rods have been pushed through the rod bed and it is desired to retrieve same, the reverse process may be performed. In other words, the forward clamp 72 may be set to engage the pipe and the rear clamp loosened. In this manner, the teeth of the forward jaw 68a are also oriented transverse to the longitudinal direction of the pipe or push rods desired movement. As for forward jaw 68a skews to contact the pipe, retraction of piston 47b pulls same i from the soil. Once in a retracted position, the piston is allowed to extend without movement of the pipe or rods due to the angle or slope of the teeth until the piston is extended its preselected distance. At this time, the jaw 68a again contacts the push rods to remove same from the soil at full distance stroke length or any intermediate distance determined by the operator thereof. It should be pointed out that if thejaws would for any reason malfunction, the pipe or rods may be inserted within the outer or forward end of sleeve 62, the pusher raised by the hydraulic boom (described in the above mentioned patent application) and the pushing continued by actuation of cylinder 47a.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A device for hydraulically pushing pipe or rods through soil, said device comprising a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly of the type whereby said cylinder operably effects the extending and retracting of said piston with respect to said cylinder, v 7

means for locating said assembly in position relative to said soil to facilitate the pushing of said pipe or rods therethrough,

a plurality of jaw assemblies supported exteriorly of said piston and moveable therewith,

a plurality of angled teeth contained within some of said jaw assemblies, each tooth having a squared off edge and an angled edge, and each tooth being oriented with its squared off edge facing the direction of motion of said piston as same is being extended, said angled edge being faced away from the direction of motion of said piston as same is being extended,

a plurality of angled teeth contained within the other of said jaw assemblies, each tooth having a squared off edge and an angled edge, and each tooth being oriented with its squared off edge facing toward the direction of motion of said piston as same is being retracted, said angled edge being faced away from the direction of motion of said piston as same is being retracted, and

releasable means for causing the teeth contained within each of said jaw assemblies to operatively contact said pipe or rods independently of the remaining jaw assemblies, said releasable means effecting a continuous operative contact of said teeth and said pipe or rods when in a preselected condition. 2. The invention of claim 1, including an adjustable means for anchoring said device, said adjustable means comprising a cylindrical collar secured relative to said device and containing a plurality of holes,

an elongated rod capable of slidably fitting within said collar, said rod containing a plurality of holes alignable with the holes in said collar,

a plate member secured to the rearward extremity of said elongated rod and generally'perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said rod, and

a latch pin that can be removably fitted through the aligned holes in said collar and rod, said pin being operable to secure said collar and rod relative to one another.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein said jaw assemblies include a means for supporting same relative to said piston in a manner to cause skewing of said jaw assemblies when said releasable means is in said preselected condition, the teeth within said jaw assemblies gripping said pipe or rods more firmly as the action of said piston pushes or pulls said pipe or rods more forcefully. I

4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said supporting means includes a pipe pusher head supported ,on the exterior of the forward portion of said piston and movable therewith, arm members being located on said pusher head in a manner to permit slight pivotal movement of said arm members relative to said pusher head, said jaw assemblies being attached to said arm members and movable therewith.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said releasable means comprises a clamp member associated with each of said jaw assemblies, each of said clamp members having an operative condition and a nonoperative condition, and each of said clamp members causing continuous operative contact of the teeth contained within a corresponding jaw assembly with said pipe 1 or rods when in said preselected condition. 

1. A device for hydraulically pushing pipe or rods through soil, said device comprising a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly of the type whereby said cylinder operably effects the extending and retracting of said piston with respect to said cylinder, means for locating said assembly in position relative to said soil to facilitate the pushing of said pipe or rods therethrough, a plurality of jaw assemblies supported exteriorly of said piston and moveable therewith, a plurality of angled teeth contained within some of said jaw assemblies, each tooth having a squared off edge and an angled edge, and each tooth being oriented with its squared off edge facing the direction of motion of said piston as same is being extended, said angled edge being faced away from the direction of motion of said piston as same is being extended, a plurality of angled teeth contained within the other of said jaw assemblies, each tooth having a squared off edge and an angled edge, and each tooth being oriented with its squared off edge facing toward the direction of motion of said piston as same is being retracted, said angled edge being faced away from the direction of motion of said piston as same is being retracted, and releasable means for causing the teeth contained within each of said jaw assemblies to operatively contact said pipe or rods independently of the remaining jaw assemblies, said releasable means effecting a continuous operative contact of said teeth and said pipe or rods when in a preselected condition.
 2. The invention of claim 1, including an adjustable means for anchoring said device, said adjustable means comprising a cylindrical collar secured relative to said device and containing a plurality of holes, an elongated rod capable of slidably fitting within said collar, said rod containing a plurality of holes alignable with the holes in said collar, a plate member secured to the rearward extremity of said elongated rod and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said rod, and a latch pin that can be removably fitted through the aligned holes in said collar and rod, said pin being operable to secure said collar and rod relative to one another.
 3. The invention of claim 1, wherein said jaw assemblies include a means for supporting same relative to said piston in a manner to cause skewing of said jaw assemblies when said releasable means is in said preselected condition, the teeth within said jaw assemblies gripping said pipe or rods more firmly as the action of said piston pushes or pulls said pipe or rods more forcefully.
 4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said supporting means includes a pipe pusher head supported on the exterior of the forward portion of said piston and movable therewith, arm members being located on said pusher head in a manner to permit slight pivotal movement of said arm members relative to said pusher head, said jaw assemblies being attached to said arm members and movable therewith.
 5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said releasable means comprises a clamp member associated with each of said jaw assemblies, each of said clamp members having an operative condition and a nonoperative condition, and each of said clamp members causing continuous operative contact of the teeth contained within a corresponding jaw assembly with said pipe or rods when in said preselected condition. 